SOLAR ENERGY SUPPORTED HYDROGEN PRODUCTION: A THEORETICAL CASE STUDY

Ali ATEŞ, Sajed Zendehdel SHEKARDASHT, Eyüb CANLI

Öz

Two different units that were connected to each other were modelled and solved numerically in this study. The electrical energy obtained from solar energy via photovoltaic panels were used in order to charge a battery first and then hydrogen was acquired by using aforementioned energy in the electrolysis of water. In the second stage, electricity is generated in a fuel cell by using the generated hydrogen. In this study a more effective way of solar energy utilization was aimed for the periods without sun light. A theoretical analysis was done via computer software by solving the constituted mathematical model. Data containing monthly average insolation values of Konya City according to years were used in this model. Electrolyzer temperature and pressure values and efficiencies of the photovoltaic panels were used as the input parameters. General system efficiency and effectiveness, generated electricity and hydrogen amounts were obtained as the output parameters. Among all, temperature was found to be the most effective parameter according to the obtained results considering the generated hydrogen amount, system effectiveness and efficiency. A wide range of electrical power between 400 W and 1800 W can be harnessed from the PV part of the system. Hydrogen production in the other hand can be attained in the range of 120-130 g/month. Power curve of the fuel cell at the start up of the system yields a 0.001 seconds reaction time. The proposed system can be utilized in rural parts of Konya and climatically similar regions in the world.